Jim Ross Says WWE Hall Of Famer Has Returned Due To Boredom
Jim Ross believes WWE Hall Of Famer John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield’s recent return is owing to boredom.
The former WWE Champion has been on something of a world tour in recent weeks, making a number of surprise appearances in promotions such as GCW, AAA and TNA, delivering his trademark ‘clothesline from hell’ before leaving the arena.
The 57 year-old, known as JBL, has so far remained tight-lipped on the reason for his grand return to the wrestling scene, but a fellow WWE Hall Of Famer believes he knows why the former 3-time WWE Tag Team Champion has decided to resurface.
Speaking recently on his podcast ‘Grilling JR‘, legendary commentator Jim Ross explained his belief that Layfield had returned to the industry out of boredom rather than for financial gain and noted that the brief appearances were successful because JBL is delivering a move that anyone can take:
“Boredom. I think it’s boredom. He loves the wrestling business and he’s bored of sitting on the sideline. He believes that he can be relevant again, he believes he can continue to develop his in-ring persona and I love the surprise aspects of not knowing where he’s going to show up.
I know it’s counter productive because we’re trying to sell tickets. This is something that he loves to do. Why not, all he’s doing is a clothesline. That’s what people come to see and that clothesline, it’s easy for a green indie guy or an overweight indie guy or whatever to take. It hurts, but you’ve got to have a special skill to get clotheslined.”
Ross would go on to explain praise Layfield’s grasp of wrestling psychology and shared his hope that the mountainous Texan would soon appear on AEW television:
‘John’s really good at it, he’s got good psychology so I’m happy that he’s doing well. Like you said, he doesn’t need the money, he’s made a lot of money, he’s been investing well over the years. He’s very bright in that area.
I’d like it, you know, if he makes a surprise appearance for AEW somewhere down the road, doesn’t bother me. It might be a cool idea depending on who he’s going to pair up with. We’ve got lots of guys that can take clotheslines.”
Jim Ross Reflects On Disturbing Moment At AEW All Out
In a career spanning over half a century, there isn’t much that Jim Ross hasn’t seen in the wrestling business.
The famously outspoken Oklahoma-born announcer currently works for Tony Khan’s AEW, but despite his current allegiance he did recently share his views on a major in-ring incident that made him feel uncomfortable.
H/T: Fightful for the above transcription.